Lazarus Anime: A Stylish Sci-Fi Thriller That Almost Hits the Mark | Shinime Anime

As a longtime fan of Shinichirō Watanabe since Cowboy Bebop, I was instantly hyped when Lazarus Anime was announced — an original sci-fi series directed by him.

Teaming up with MAPPA and John Wick’s Chad Stahelski, the project promised a bold mix of action, philosophy, and futuristic flair. While it may not match Cowboy Bebop’s legendary status, Lazarus Anime still proves Watanabe’s brilliance as a visionary director.

Lazarus Anime Release Information

After months of anticipation, Lazarus finally premiered on April 5, 2025, on Adult Swim’s Toonami in the US, with Japanese audiences getting their first look on April 6, 2025, on TV Tokyo. The weekly release schedule, new episodes every Saturday night/Sunday morning, became part of my weekend routine, and I appreciated having both English-dubbed and Japanese-subtitled versions available from day one.

The accessibility impressed me. Beyond the traditional TV broadcasts, the series became available on Max and Adult Swim’s streaming platform, making it easy for international fans to catch up. This global approach to distribution showed the confidence the creators had in their work, and honestly, it paid off.

Lazarus Anime Plot Overview and Story Structure

Lazarus anime episode 1, titled “Goodbye Cruel World,” immediately establishes a premise that hooked me from the opening scene. Set in the near future, we’re introduced to a world transformed by Hapna, a miracle drug invented by the brilliant Dr. Skinner. Imagine a medication that could cure depression, anxiety, and virtually every mental health condition, it sounds like humanity’s greatest achievement, right?

Then comes the twist that changes everything. Three years after Hapna’s global release, Dr. Skinner announces that the drug is actually lethal and will kill everyone who took it unless he’s found within 30 days. Talk about a plot revelation that reframes everything you thought you knew about the story.

The Lazarus task force, a group of specialists and outlaws, must track down Skinner and prevent mass extinction. Each episode advances this high-stakes narrative through conspiracies, infiltration missions, and philosophical dilemmas that kept me questioning the nature of mental health, scientific responsibility, and what it means to “cure” humanity’s problems.

What I appreciated most was how each episode felt essential to the overarching plot. There’s no filler here, every scene serves the ticking-clock narrative, creating genuine tension that builds throughout the series.

Lazarus Anime Character Analysis

The strength of Lazarus lies in its diverse cast of characters, each bringing unique skills and compelling backstories to the team dynamic:

Axel Gibralto serves as our protagonist, a Brazilian ex-con with an 888-year sentence who somehow became humanity’s unlikely savior. His agility and combat skills are impressive, but what drew me to him was his wit and unexpected depth. Despite his criminal background, Axel brings humanity to the team that prevents the series from becoming too clinical.

Douglas Hadine functions as the unofficial leader, an ex-physics student expelled for fighting discrimination. His serious, strategic approach creates interesting friction with Axel’s more impulsive nature, and their evolving partnership became one of my favorite aspects of the series.

Eleina is perhaps the most intriguing character, a hacker and cult survivor described as the team’s most dangerous member. Her calm intelligence masks a complex past that I wished the series had explored more deeply. There’s untapped potential in her character that left me wanting more.

Leland and Christine round out the team as field agent and support specialist respectively. While they serve important functions in the narrative, I found myself wanting more development for these characters throughout the 13-episode run.

Dr. Deniz Skinner makes for a fascinating antagonist, brilliant, enigmatic, and morally ambiguous in the best way. You understand his motivations even as you’re horrified by the consequences of his actions, making him far more complex than your typical villain.

Lazarus Anime Structure and Episode Guide

Lazarus consists of 13 episodes that aired weekly from April 5 to June 29, 2025. The episode structure is straightforward, each installment is sequentially numbered and titled, driving the ticking-clock plot forward with relentless momentum.

Here’s how the series unfolded:

The beauty of this structure is that each episode builds naturally on the previous one, creating a cohesive narrative that rewards weekly viewing. Full episodes became available for streaming after broadcast on Max, Adult Swim, and other platforms, making it easy to catch up or rewatch favorite moments.

Lazarus Animation, Music, and Production

MAPPA’s animation work on Lazarus is nothing short of spectacular. The dynamic action sequences showcase fluid fight choreography that clearly benefits from Chad Stahelski’s input, you can see the John Wick influence in how violence is portrayed as both beautiful and brutal. The character animation brings subtlety to emotional moments while delivering explosive energy during action scenes.

The music deserves special recognition. Kamasi Washington’s opening theme immediately establishes the series’ jazz-infused atmosphere, while ending themes by Bonobo and The Boo Radleys add layers of sophistication that complement the visuals perfectly. The soundtrack creates a modern sci-fi atmosphere that feels both futuristic and grounded, reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop while maintaining its own distinct identity.

Lazarus Anime Reception and Reviews

Critical reception for Lazarus has been generally positive, with praise consistently focused on its animation, music, and action sequences. The series earned an impressive 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes as of July 2025, reflecting strong professional approval.

However, fan reception has been more mixed, and I understand why. While many celebrated the stylish presentation and high-concept premise, some viewers found the story and characters less engaging than Watanabe’s previous masterworks. Coming after Cowboy Bebop sets an impossibly high bar, and perhaps unfairly, many fans expected lightning to strike twice.

The criticism around pacing and character development resonates with my own experience. While the series excels in many areas, the compressed 13-episode format sometimes feels rushed when it comes to exploring the deeper emotional connections between characters.

Where to Watch Lazarus Anime

For those wondering where to watch Lazarus anime, you have several excellent options, including watching it for free on Shinime Anime. The series streams on Max, Adult Swim, and YouTube TV, with episodes also available for digital purchase on Apple TV, Amazon Video, and Fandango At Home. If you have a cable provider login, you can watch episodes for free on Adult Swim’s platform.

The wide availability across multiple streaming services makes it easy to find the viewing method that works best for your setup and preferences.

Conclusion

“Lazarus Anime Review” stands as a solid addition to Watanabe’s filmography, even if it doesn’t quite reach the transcendent heights of his earlier masterpieces. The series succeeds brilliantly in its visual presentation, musical composition, and high-concept premise, delivering a sci-fi thriller that feels both contemporary and timeless.

While it suffers from some pacing issues and character development that feels occasionally rushed, Lazarus offers enough compelling elements to recommend it to fans of futuristic thrillers and anyone interested in the latest works from acclaimed anime creators.

The series proves that anime can tackle complex philosophical questions about mental health, scientific responsibility, and human nature while delivering spectacular action and emotional depth. It may not be perfect, but it’s definitely worth your time.

Ready to experience this stylish sci-fi thriller for yourself? Start watching Lazarus today at Shinime Anime and stay updated with the latest anime news and developments at Shinime Anime. The countdown has begun, and every episode counts.